Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs Recipe
A comforting and flavorful Crock Pot French Onion Meatballs recipe, featuring tender meatballs cooked with caramelized onions and a rich, savory gravy topped with melted Gruyere cheese. Perfect for an easy, slow-cooked meal served over rice or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (high) or 6 hours 15 minutes (low)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Onions
- 2 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs
Gravy Sauce
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 ounce package brown gravy mix
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Thickener and Cheese
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1½ cups Gruyere cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare Onions and Meatballs: Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Then, pour the frozen meatballs evenly over the onions to create the base of the dish.
- Make the Gravy: In a medium bowl, combine the low-sodium beef broth, brown gravy mix, minced garlic, black pepper, dried thyme, and white wine vinegar. Whisk everything together until well blended, then pour the mixture evenly over the meatballs in the crock pot.
- Slow Cook: Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 2½ to 3½ hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. This allows the meatballs to cook thoroughly and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken the Sauce and Add Cheese: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this mixture over the meatballs and gently stir to combine. Then sprinkle the grated Gruyere cheese over the top. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the French Onion Meatballs hot, ideally over cooked rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious gravy. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful meal!
Notes
- For best flavor, use low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Gruyere cheese adds a creamy, nutty flavor, but Swiss cheese can be substituted if needed.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can increase cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
- To add extra depth, caramelize the onions in a skillet before adding to the crock pot.
- This recipe is gluten-free if the gravy mix and meatballs are certified gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: French onion meatballs, crock pot meatballs, slow cooker meals, comfort food, beef meatballs, Gruyere cheese, easy dinner recipe